Cage nut assembly having a flexible cage

ABSTRACT

A cage nut assembly has a nut and a cage. The cage has a base having an aperture therethrough and a pair of flexible arm portions which are capable of supporting the nut off of the base. The cage nut assembly is welded to a workpiece. The workpiece is sent through an e-coat or ELPO bath. As the flexible arm portions of the cage support the nut off of the base, the possibility of the nut being stuck to the cage is reduced. A fastener is inserted through an aperture of the workpiece, through the aperture of the base and is threadedly engaged with the nut. As the fastener is torqued down, a force is applied to the nut such that the arm portions of the cage flex and allow the nut to come into contact and be secured against the base.

CROSS-REFERENCE

[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of domestic priorityof United States Provisional Application Serial No. 60/432,165, filedDec. 10, 2002, and entitled “Cage Nut Assembly Having a Flexible Cage”.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a cage nut assembly.

[0003] Cage nut assemblies are well known in the art and provide auseful function in that they are able to hold a threaded nut atlocations in a frame that are difficult or in some cases impossible toreach with a tool. Cage nut assemblies are used in vehicles for seatattachments, radiator attachments, chassis to drive train attachments,and for any other nut application that requires the nut to have an “X”and “Y” axis adjustability to accommodate tolerance variations andenable engagement thereof by a male threaded fastener.

[0004] Problems have arisen in conjunction with prior art cage nutassemblies. One problem occurs after the cages of the cage nutassemblies are welded to a mating surface, such as an automobile frame.After the cages are welded to the automobile frame, the frames are sentthrough an e-coat or ELPO bath that adds a corrosion or paint coatingthereto. In cage nut assemblies where the underside of the nut iscapable of sitting flat on the cage, the nut and cage may stick togetherwhen the e-coat or ELPO bath is applied thereto, thus removing theintended float/adjustability of the nut within the cage.

[0005] At least two known and separate United States patents haveacknowledged this problem and have attempted to provide cage nutassemblies which solve the problem. U.S. Pat. No. 5,096,350 discussesthe use of any item attached to either the cage or the nut, or to athird part positioned between the nut and the cage, that flattens outwhen the nut is torqued into place. This item allows for the stand-offneeded during the e-coat and provides for a solid joint when the nut istorqued into place. These flattenable projections either on the cage orthe nut, or the addition of a third part with the flattenableprojections thereon, provide high manufacturing costs to the cage nutassembly.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,630,686 discusses the use of plastic rings stakedat the top of a nut extrusion that hold the nut up off of the cage flooror mating panel, thus removing the possibility that the e-coat willallow the parts to stick together. The plastic rings are flexible enoughto allow a solid joint to take place when the nut is lowered tointerface with the cage floor or mating panel when the nut is torqueddown. This patent requires the plastic rings in order to perform thedesired function. The addition of the plastic rings to the cage nutassembly is expensive and the rings sometimes disengage from theassembly when the nut is torqued into place thus causing a buzz, squeakrattle (“BSR”) issue with customers.

[0007] Thus, there is a need for a cage nut assembly which does notallow the nut to become stuck to the cage during the application of ane-coat or ELPO bath and which overcomes the disadvantages of theaforementioned United States patents which have attempted to solve thissame problem.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY

[0008] A primary object of an embodiment of the present invention is toprovide a cage nut assembly which reduces the possibility of the nutsticking to the cage or workpiece when an e-coat or ELPO bath is appliedthereto.

[0009] Another object of an embodiment of the present invention is toprovide a cage nut assembly that has strong joints between the nuts andthe cages after the nuts are torqued into place.

[0010] Yet another object of an embodiment of the present invention isto provide stand-off features on the nut which will reduce the amount ofbearing surface interface between the cage and nut, before the nuts aretorqued down.

[0011] Another object of an embodiment of the present invention is toprovide a cage nut assembly where the nut is allowed to float within thecage after coating of the mating surface, which the cage is attached to.

[0012] Still another object of an embodiment of the present invention isto provide a cage nut assembly which requires less manufacturing costsin comparison to cage nut assemblies of the prior art.

[0013] Yet another object of an embodiment of the present invention isto provide a cage which is capable of supporting a nut off of a bottomwall of the cage or a mating surface prior to the coating, and which isflexible to allow the nut to be torqued down against the bottom wall ofthe cage or a mating surface after the coating.

[0014] Briefly, and in accordance with the foregoing, the presentinvention provides a cage nut assembly having a nut and a cage. The nuthas two plates and a cylindrical member connecting the plates together.A threaded aperture extends through the nut. The cage has a base portionhaving an aperture therethrough and a pair of flexible arm portionswhich are capable of supporting the nut off of the base portion of thecage. Once the cage nut assembly is formed, the cage is welded to aworkpiece. The workpiece is then sent through an e-coat or ELPO bath. Asthe flexible arm portions of the cage support the nut off of the baseportion of the cage, the possibility of the nut being stuck to the cageis reduced. A fastener is then inserted through an aperture of theworkpiece, through the aperture of the base portion and into theaperture of the nut such that the fastener is threadedly engaged withthe nut. As the fastener is torqued down, a force is applied to the nutsuch that the arm portions of the cage flex and allow the nut to comeinto contact and be secured against the base portion of the cage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The organization and manner of the structure and operation of theinvention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, maybest be understood by reference to the following description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings wherein like referencenumerals identify like elements in which:

[0016]FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of a nut of the cage nut assemblyin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 2 is a partially-broken away bottom view of the nut of thecage nut assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0018]FIG. 3 is a perspective top view of an alternative nut of the cagenut assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 4 is a partially-broken away bottom view of the alternativenut of the cage nut assembly in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0020]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cage of the cage nut assembly inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the cage nut assembly inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention prior to the cagesupporting the nut off of a bottom wall of the cage;

[0022]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the cage nut assembly inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention with the cagesupporting the nut off of the bottom wall of the cage;

[0023]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cage nut assembly inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention with the cagesupporting the nut off of the bottom wall of the cage and with the nuthaving floated toward a sidewall of the cage, relative to the nutillustrated in FIG. 7;

[0024]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the cage nut assembly inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention being connectedto a workpiece by a fastener; and

[0025]FIG. 10 is a side-elevation view of the cage nut assembly inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention being connectedto the workpiece by the fastener.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

[0026] While this invention may be susceptible to embodiment indifferent forms, there is shown in the drawings and will be describedherein in detail, specific embodiments with the understanding that thepresent disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of theprinciples of the invention, and is not intended to limit the inventionto that as illustrated.

[0027] The present invention relates to a cage nut assembly 20. The cagenut assembly 20 includes a nut 22 and a cage 24.

[0028] The nut 22 is best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The nut 22includes a plate portion 26, which is preferably rectangular, having agenerally planer upper surface 28, a generally planar lower surface (notshown), and sidewalls 32 which connect the upper surface 28 to the lowersurface. The nut 22 also includes a second plate portion 34, which ispreferably circular, having a generally planar upper surface 36, agenerally planar lower surface 38, and a sidewall 40 which connects theupper surface 36 to the lower surface 38. The plate portion 26 and thesecond plate portion 34 are connected to one another by a cylindricalmember 42 which extends between the upper surface 28 of the plateportion 26 and the lower surface 38 of the second plate portion 34. Thecylindrical member 42 is preferably in the form of a right circularcylinder. The lower surface 38 of the second plate portion 34 may haveprotrusions 44 extending therefrom for reasons which will be discussedin more detail herein.

[0029] An aperture 46 extends through the nut 22 from the plate portion26, into the cylindrical member 42, and into the second plate portion34. The aperture 46 may be closed at the lower surface 30 of the plateportion 26 or it may, preferably, extend all the way through the plateportion 26. The aperture 46 defines an aperture wall 48 which ispreferably threaded and is capable of receiving a fastener 50, such as abolt or a screw, to be attached thereto.

[0030] Alternatively, a nut 22 a, which may be used in the cage nutassembly 20 rather than the nut 22, is best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and4. The nut 22 a includes a plate portion 26 a, which is preferablyrectangular, having a generally planer upper surface 28 a, a generallyplanar lower surface (not shown), and sidewalls 32 a which connect theupper surface 28 a to the lower surface. The nut 22 a also includes asecond plate portion 34 a, which is preferably rectangular, having agenerally planar upper surface 36 a, a generally planar lower surface 38a, and sidewalls 40 a which connect the upper surface 36 a to the lowersurface 38 a. The plate portion 26 a and the second plate portion 34 aare connected to one another by a cylindrical member 42 a which extendsbetween the upper surface 28 a of the plate portion 26 a and the lowersurface 38 a of the second plate portion 34 a. The cylindrical member 42a is preferably in the form of a right circular cylinder. The lowersurface 38 a of the second plate portion 34 a may have protrusions 44aextending therefrom for reasons which will be discussed in more detailherein.

[0031] An aperture 46 a extends through the nut 22 a from the plateportion 26 a, into the cylindrical member 42 a, and into the secondplate portion 34 a. The aperture 46 a may be closed at the lower surface30 a of the plate portion 26 a or it may, preferably, extend all the waythrough the plate portion 26 a. The aperture 46 a defines an aperturewall 48 a which is preferably threaded and is capable of receiving afastener 50, such as a bolt or a screw, to be attached thereto.

[0032] The nut 22, 22 a may be formed by cold forming as a one-pieceitem. Alternatively, it can also be made by staking a cold-headed nutwith the circular or rectangular plate feature formed as part of thenut, to a steel plate. The nut 22, 22 a may then be heat treated, ifdesired, depending on the hardness of the material of the nut 22, 22 a.While the nut 22 a may be used in the cage nut assembly 20 rather thanthe nut 22, the description of the invention will be discussed with thenut 22 being used in the cage nut assembly 20 with the understandingthat the nut 22 a would function in a generally identical manner as willthe nut 22.

[0033] The cage 24 is used for encaging and supporting the nut 22 and isbest illustrated in FIG. 5. The cage 24 has a base portion 52, which ispreferably rectangular, such that the base portion 52 has a first sideedge 54, a second side edge 56, a third side edge 58 and a fourth sideedge 60. The first and third side edges 54, 58 of the base portion 52are parallel and opposite to one another. The second and fourth sideedges 56, 60 of the base portion 52 are parallel and opposite to oneanother, and are perpendicular to the first and third side edges 54, 58.The base portion 52 has an upper surface 62 and a lower surface 64. Anaperture 66 extends through the base portion 52 from the upper surface62 to the lower surface 64.

[0034] A first wall portion 68 extends perpendicularly upwardly from thefirst side edge 54 of the base portion 52 and extends from a comer 70,which is defined by the connection of the first and second side edges54, 56, toward a comer 72, which is defined by the connection of thefirst and fourth side edges 54, 60. The first wall portion 68 extendssubstantially along a majority of the length of the first side edge 54,from the comer 70 toward the comer 72, but does not extend to the comer72.

[0035] A first arm portion 74 also extends from the first side edge 54of the base portion 52 and extends from the comer 72 toward the comer70. The first arm portion 74 has a first portion 76, a second portion78, a third portion 80 and a fourth portion 82. The first portion 76 ofthe first arm portion 74 extends perpendicularly upwardly from the firstside edge 54 of the base portion 52 such that a gap 77 is formed betweenthe first portion 76 of the first arm portion 74 and the first wallportion 68. The second portion 78 of the first arm portion 74 extendsperpendicularly outwardly from the first portion 76 of the first armportion 74 toward the third side edge 58 of the base portion 52, and isgenerally parallel to the base portion 52, such that the second portion78 of the first arm portion 74 has an upper surface 84 which is parallelto the upper surface 62. The third portion 80 of the first arm portion74 extends perpendicularly outwardly from the second portion 78 of thefirst arm portion 74 toward the second side edge 56 of the base portion52, and is generally parallel to the base portion 52, such that thethird portion 80 of the first arm portion 74 has an upper surface 86which is parallel to the upper surface 62. The fourth portion 82 of thefirst arm portion 74 is generally C-shaped and extends outwardly towardthe second side edge 56 of the base portion 52, and is generallyparallel to the base portion 52, such that the fourth portion 82 of thefirst arm portion 74 has an upper surface 88 which is parallel to theupper surface 62. The first arm portion 74 is formed of a flexiblematerial for reasons which will be discussed further herein.

[0036] A second wall portion 90 extends perpendicularly upwardly fromthe third side edge 58 of the base portion 52 and extends from a comer92, which is defined by the connection of the third and fourth sideedges 58, 60, toward a comer 94, which is defined by the connection ofthe second and third side edges 56, 58. The second wall portion 90extends substantially along a majority of the length of the third sideedge 58, from the comer 92 toward the comer 94, but does not extend tothe comer 94.

[0037] A second arm portion 96 also extends from the third side edge 58of the base portion 52 and extends from the comer 94 toward the comer92. The second arm portion 96 has a first portion 98, a second portion100, a third portion 102 and a fourth portion 104. The first portion 98of the second arm portion 96 extends perpendicularly upwardly from thethird side edge 58 of the base portion 52 such that a gap 99 is formedbetween the first portion 98 of the second arm portion 96 and the secondwall portion 90. The second portion 100 of the second arm portion 96extends perpendicularly outwardly from the first portion 98 of thesecond arm portion 96 toward the first side edge 54 of the base portion52, and is generally parallel to the base portion 52, such that thesecond portion 100 of the second arm portion 96 has an upper surface 106which is parallel to the upper surface 62. The third portion 102 of thesecond arm portion 96 extends perpendicularly outwardly from the secondportion 100 of the second arm portion 96 toward the fourth side edge 60of the base portion 52, and is generally parallel to the base portion52, such that the third portion 102 of the second arm portion 96 has anupper surface 108 which is parallel to the upper surface 62. The fourthportion 104 of the second arm portion 96 is generally C-shaped andextends outwardly toward the fourth side edge 60 of the base portion 52,and is generally parallel to the base portion 52, such that the fourthportion 104 of the second arm portion 96 has an upper surface 110 whichis parallel to the upper surface 62. The second arm portion 96 is formedof a flexible material for reasons which will be discussed furtherherein.

[0038] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the C-shaped fourth portions 82, 104 ofthe first and second arm portions 74, 96, respectively, generally forman opening 112 (although not specifically defined as the C-shaped fourthportions 82, 104 do not come into contact with one another to close offthe opening 112) therebetween which is generally in alignment with theaperture 66 of the base portion 52 of the cage 24. As will be discussedfurther herein, the C-shaped fourth portion 82, 104 of the first andsecond arm portions 74, 96, respectively, support the nut 22.

[0039] In operation, the cage 24 is provided and the first arm portion74 is flexed upwardly such that the first portion 76, the second portion78, the third portion 80, and the C-shaped fourth portion 82 of thefirst arm portion 74 are all parallel to one another and areperpendicular to the base portion 52 of the cage 24, as illustrated inFIG. 6. The nut 22 is then positioned within the cage 24 by placing thesecond plate portion 34 on the C-shaped fourth portion 104 of the secondarm portion 96, such that the lower surface 38 of the second plateportion 34 is positioned on the upper surface 110 of the C-shaped fourthportion 104 of the second arm portion 96.

[0040] The first arm portion 74 is then flexed downwardly such that thesecond portion 78, the third portion 80, and the C-shaped fourth portion82 of the first arm portion 74 are all parallel to one another and tothe base portion 52 of the cage 24, and are perpendicular to the firstportion 76 of the first arm portion 74, as illustrated in FIG. 7. TheC-shaped fourth portion 82 of the first arm portion 74 is positionedunderneath the second plate portion 34 of the nut 22, such that thelower surface 38 of the second plate portion 34 is positioned on theupper surface 88 of the C-shaped fourth portion 82 of the first armportion 74. The opening 112 formed by the C-shaped fourth portions 82,104 of the first and second arm portions 74, 96 has a diameter which issmaller than a diameter of the second plate portion 34 such that the nut22 cannot fall through the opening 112.

[0041] With the second plate portion 34 being positioned on the C-shapedfourth portions 82, 104 of the first and second arm portion 74, 96, theplate portion 26 is held up off of the upper surface 62 of the baseportion 52 of the cage 24, as illustrated in FIG. 7. The first andsecond arm portions 74, 96 are formed of a material which is strongenough, without a force being applied thereto, to support the weight ofthe nut 22, such that the lower surface (not shown) of the plate portion26 of the nut 22 does not come into contact with the upper surface 62 ofthe base portion 52 of the cage 24. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the nut 22is allowed to float in the “X” and “Y” directions within the opening 112formed by the C-shaped fourth portions 82, 104 of the first and secondarm portions 74, 96 because the cylindrical member 42 of the nut 22 hasa diameter which is smaller than the diameter of the opening 112. Theaperture 66 of the base portion 52 of the cage 24 is large enough suchthat the aperture 46 of the nut 22 will always be in communication withthe aperture 66 of the cage 24 within the float limitations of the nut22 defined by the C-shaped fourth portions 82, 104 of the first andsecond arm portions 74, 96.

[0042] The lower surface 64 of the base portion 52 of the cage 24 isthen welded to a workpiece 120. The workpiece 120 has an aperture 121provided therethrough and first and second surfaces 122, 124. The lowersurface 64 of the base portion 52 of the cage 24 is welded to the firstsurface 122 of the workpiece 120 such that the aperture of the workpiece120 is in communication with the aperture 66 of the base portion 52 ofthe cage 24, and with the aperture 46 which extends through the nut 22.The workpiece 120, the cage 24 and the nut 22 are then typically sentthrough an e-coat or ELPO bath that is meant to add a corrosion or paintcoating to the first surface 122 of the workpiece 120. The C-shapedfourth portions 82, 104 of the first and second arm portions 74, 96support the nut 22 from coming into contact with the upper surface 62 ofthe base portion 52 of the cage 24, thus reducing the possibility thatthe cage 24 and the nut 22 will stick or adhere to each other aftercoating or welding is complete.

[0043] It should be noted that if the protrusions 44 are provided on thelower surface 38 of the second plate portion 34, the possibility thatthe cage 24 and the nut 22 will stick or adhere to each other aftercoating or welding is complete is reduced even further as theprotrusions 44 will allow only minimal contact between the nut 22 andthe cage 24 with only the protrusions 44 coming into contact with theupper surfaces 88, 110 of the C-shaped fourth portions 82, 104 of thefirst and second arm portions 74, 96.

[0044] The fastener 50, such as a bolt or a screw, which has a headportion 130 and a threaded shank portion 132 extending therefrom, isthen connected to the cage nut assembly 20 and the workpiece 120. Thefastener 50 is connected by inserting the threaded shank portion 132 ofthe fastener 50 through the aperture 121 of the workpiece 120, throughthe aperture 66 of the base portion 52 of the cage 24 and into theaperture 46 of the nut 22, such that the threaded shank portion 132 ofthe fastener 50 is threadedly engaged with the aperture wall 48 of thenut 22, until the head portion 130 of the fastener 50 abuts against thesecond surface 124 of the workpiece 120, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and10. The aperture wall 48 may be pre-threaded or the fastener 50 may havea self-tapping thread thereon which forms a thread in the aperture wall48 of the nut 22.

[0045] As the fastener 50 is torqued into place, by threaded engagementwith the aperture wall 48 of the nut 22, the plate portion 26 of the nut22 is pulled down to interface with the upper surface 62 of the baseportion 52 of the cage 24, thus providing a solid joint between the nut22, the cage 24, the workpiece 120 and the fastener 50. The plateportion 26 is able to be pulled down to interface with the upper surface62 of the base portion 52 of the cage 24 because the first and secondarm portions 74, 96 are flexed downward by a combination of the weightof the nut 22 and the force being applied to the nut 22 by the torqueingof the fastener 50. The flexed first and second arm portions 74, 96 arebest illustrated in FIG. 10.

[0046] Thus, the cage nut assembly 20 provides stronger joints betweenthe nut 22 and the cage 24 than cage nut assemblies of the prior artafter the nut 22 is torqued into place. The cage nut assembly 20 alsorequires less manufacturing and provide for fewer parts than cage nutassemblies of the prior art, thus making the cage nut assembly 20 of thepresent invention cheaper to make. The nut 22 and the cage 24 of thecage nut assembly 20 also effectively reduce the possibility of the nut22 sticking to the cage 24 once an e-coat or ELPO bath is applied.

[0047] While preferred embodiments of the invention are shown anddescribed, it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devisevarious modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of theforegoing description and the appended claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:
 1. A cage member engageable with anut member having an aperture, thereby providing a cage nut assembly,said cage member comprising: a body configured to encage the nut memberand having an aperture formed therein, said aperture configured to allowaccess to the aperture of the nut member when the nut member isgenerally encaged by said cage member, said body defining a baseportion, said body being configured to engage the nut member such thatthe nut member is suspended off of said base portion.
 2. A cage memberas defined in claim 1, wherein said body further comprises at least onearm portion which extends from said base portion and serves to suspendthe nut member off of the base portion.
 3. A cage member as defined inclaim 2, wherein said at least one arm portion comprises two armportions which are positioned opposite of one another.
 4. A cage memberas defined in claim 3, wherein said base portion is rectangular suchthat said base portion has four corners, one of said arm portionsextending from one of said corners of said base portion and said otherone of said arm portions extending from another one of said corners ofsaid base portion.
 5. A cage member as defined in claim 3, wherein saidopposite facing arm portions define an opening therebetween, saidopening sized to receive a portion of the nut member therethrough whenthe nut member is suspended above said base portion of said cage memberby said two arm portions.
 6. A cage member as defined in claim 5,wherein each said arm portion has a generally C-shaped portion, saidC-shaped portions being positioned opposite one another and definingsaid opening.
 7. A cage member as defined in claim 2, wherein said atleast one arm portion is formed of a flexible material.
 8. A cage memberas defined in claim 2, wherein said at least one arm portion can bemoved to allow the nut member to be positioned above said base portionof said body.
 9. A cage member as defined in claim 1, wherein said bodyis further configured to provide a limited range of movement of the nutmember in at least one dimension, said body configured to allow accessto the aperture of the nut member within the limited range of movementof the nut member provided by said body.
 10. An assembly configured toreceive a fastener, said assembly comprising: a nut member having afirst plate, a second plate and a cylindrical member which connects saidfirst plate to said second plate, each said plate having an uppersurface and a lower surface, said cylindrical member extending betweensaid upper surface of said first plate and said lower surface of saidsecond plate, said nut member further having an aperture which extendsthrough said first plate, said cylindrical member and said second plate;and a cage member configured to encage the nut member and having anaperture formed therein, said aperture configured to allow access tosaid aperture of said nut member when said nut member is generallyencaged by said cage member, said cage member defining a base portion,said cage member being configured to engage the nut member such thatsaid nut member is suspended off of said base portion.
 11. An assemblyas defined in claim 10, wherein said cage member comprises at least onearm portion which extends from said base portion and serves to suspendsaid nut member off of said base portion.
 12. An assembly as defined inclaim 11, wherein said at least one arm portion comprises two armportions which are positioned opposite of one another.
 13. An assemblyas defined in claim 12 wherein said base portion is rectangular suchthat said base portion has four corners, one of said arm portionsextending from one of said corners of said base portion and said otherone of said arm portions extending from another one of said corners ofsaid base portion.
 14. An assembly as defined in claim 12, wherein saidopposite facing arm portions define an opening therebetween, saidopening sized to receive said cylindrical member of said nut membertherethrough when said nut member is suspended above said base portionof said cage member by said two arm portions.
 15. An assembly as definedin claim 14, wherein each said arm portion has a generally C-shapedportion, said C-shaped portions being positioned opposite one anotherand defining said opening.
 16. An assembly as defined in claim 14,wherein said two arm portions have top surfaces, said second plate ofsaid nut member being positioned on said two arm portions in order tosuspend said first plate of said nut member above said base portion ofsaid cage member, said lower surface of said second plate beingpositioned against said upper surfaces of said two arm portions.
 17. Anassembly as defined in claim 16, wherein said lower surface of saidsecond plate has protrusions extending therefrom, said protrusions beingpositioned against said upper surfaces of said two arm portions.
 18. Anassembly as defined in claim 16, wherein said base portion of said cagemember has a generally planar upper surface, said upper surfaces of saidtwo arm portions being parallel to said upper surface of said baseportion of said cage member.
 19. An assembly as defined in claim 11,wherein said at least one arm portion is formed of a flexible material.20. An assembly as defined in claim 11, wherein said at least one armportion can be moved to allow said nut member to be positioned abovesaid base portion of said cage member.
 21. An assembly as defined inclaim 10, wherein said cage member is further configured to provide alimited range of movement of said nut member in at least one dimension,said cage member configured to allow access to said aperture of said nutmember within the limited range of movement of said nut member providedby said cage member.
 22. A combination comprising: a workpiece havingfirst and second surfaces and an aperture provided therethrough; a nutmember having a first plate, a second plate and a cylindrical memberwhich connects said first plate to said second plate, each said platehaving an upper surface and a lower surface, said cylindrical memberextending between said upper surface of said first plate and said lowersurface of said second plate, said nut member further having an aperturewhich extends through said first plate, said nut member having athreaded wall which defines at least a portion of said aperture of saidnut member, said cylindrical member and said second plate; a cage memberwhich is associated with said first surface of said workpiece, said cagemember configured to encage said nut member and having an apertureformed therein which is aligned with said aperture of said workpiece andwith said aperture of said nut member, said cage member defining a baseportion, said cage member being configured to engage said nut membersuch that said nut member is suspended off of said base portion; and afastener having an enlarged head portion and an elongated shankextending therefrom, said enlarged head portion being associated withsaid second surface of said workpiece, said elongated shank extendingthrough said aperture of said workpiece, through said aperture of saidcage member, and being in threaded engagement with said threaded wall ofsaid nut member.
 23. A combination as defined in claim 22, wherein saidcage member is welded to said first surface of said workpiece.
 24. Acombination as defined in claim 22, wherein said lower surface of saidfirst plate of said nut member interfaces said base portion of said cagemember in order to provide a solid joint between said nut member, saidcage member, said workpiece, and said fastener.
 25. A combination asdefined in claim 22, wherein said at least one arm portion is formed ofa flexible material.
 26. A combination as defined in claim 22, whereinsaid cage member comprises at least one arm portion which extends fromsaid base portion, said at least one arm portion having an upper surfacewhich is in contact with said lower surface of said second plate of saidnut member